Guitar Harmony
PRS SE CE Composing the Score for ‘High Rise 3: Run to Peril’
In my quest for the perfect guitar to compose the music for my upcoming film, High Rise 3: Run to Peril, I found myself retracing my musical roots. As a musician, the journey has been one of evolution, where every instrument played a role in shaping my sound. It all began with a budget-friendly Epiphone Les Paul, which ignited my passion for music. I often reflect on what drew me to that first guitar: the thick, powerful tone and the sense of possibility. From there, my evolution as a guitarist took shape with the iconic Ibanez JS model during my late teens and into my mid-twenties. Those guitars were my trusted companions, providing me with a wide tonal range to explore new styles and compositions.
As I hit the road, Fender Stratocasters became my go-to instruments for over a decade. The Strat's versatility and its ability to create everything from bright, cutting tones to smoother, jazzier sounds made it the ideal choice for my performances and recordings. However, as I entered my 30s, I began to experiment with different guitars once again, oscillating between the Les Paul and Paul Reed Smith models.
At this point, my playing style began to evolve. The demanding solos of my youth became less feasible for my hands, which made me shift focus toward selecting the right notes and tones that would define my evolving sound. I realized that the perfect guitar would need to balance technical precision with musical expressiveness—a guitar that could speak to both my past influences and my present direction.
That’s when I heard about the Paul Reed Smith SE version of the CE. This guitar promised the neck of a Stratocaster, paired with the solid, resonant body of a Les Paul. It also featured the aesthetics reminiscent of the Ibanez JS, which further intrigued me. Intrigued by the prospect of such a harmonious blend of design elements, I placed my order and eagerly awaited its arrival.
When the day finally came, I opened the box to find a sunburst finish with a flame maple top that instantly captivated me. The craftsmanship was exquisite. Plugging it in, I found the guitar remarkably natural and well-balanced, and the best part was that it required no tuning adjustments. It felt like the guitar was built for me. Within just half an hour, I was already immersed in the creative process, capturing my first track for High Rise 3: Run to Peril.
Three days later, I had completed four tracks, each one benefiting from the smoothness and clarity of the guitar's notes. The PRS SE CE quickly became my instrument of choice for composing the score, as its versatility allowed me to explore new textures and tones while remaining grounded in the qualities I have come to love. It became the perfect tool to create the emotionally charged soundtrack that would complement the intense action of High Rise 3.
I’m genuinely excited to share this new musical journey with my audience, both on the big screen in High Rise 3: Run to Peril and through the accompanying soundtrack. The PRS SE CE has brought a new level of harmony to my music, and I can't wait for listeners to experience the depth and emotion it will bring to the film's score.
As a musician and filmmaker, the journey of finding the right guitar is about more than just technical specs—it’s about finding an instrument that resonates with your creative soul. The PRS SE CE has not only met that challenge but has exceeded it, offering a new voice for my music and a new chapter in my creative process.
